Related Events

Related Directories

The newly constructed Bronxdale Community Center in Bronx, NY, features an exterior facade of Indian Absolute Black granite, which was supplied by Hindustan Granites of Hauppauge, NY (above). Granite pavers measuring 24 x 24 x 1Â½ inches with a plasma finish were employed for the outside of the building (right).

Recently, the Bronxdale Community Center in Bronx, NY, opened to area residents - providing a place for learning and recreational activities. And the use of Indian Absolute Black granite throughout the building's interior and exterior design adds value to the overall aesthetics of the neighborhood.

The exterior wall pieces feature a flamed finish -- providing the building with texture and depth.

The newly constructed center, which houses a regulation-sized gymnasium with locker rooms, also includes a lobby leading to administrative and educational spaces, a dining/multi-purpose room, kitchen and classroom - all on the first floor. Additionally, on the second level there is an arts and crafts room, three classrooms and an exercise room. The 23,000-square-foot building is equipped with a hydraulic elevator and chairlift, and each floor has handicapped accessible lavatories.

For the interior, approximately 4,000 square feet of 24- x 24- x Â¾-inch floor tiles with a flamed/brushed finish were utilized.

A total of 6,000 square feet of Indian Absolute Black granite, which was quarried in India and supplied by Hindustan Granites Inc. of Hauppauge, NY, creates a contemporary environment for the new center. All of the pieces were cut to size, with thicknesses varying between Â¾, 1Â½ and 2 inches.

The granite pieces were employed as pavers, steps and landings as well as for several desktops. The stone was also used as wall cladding for both interior and exterior spaces.

The textured granite brings dimension and a sense of permanence to the building's design. It also gives the community center a classy look.

Several desktops within the building were also fabricated from the same stone.

For the interior lobby and multi-purpose room, approximately 4,000 square feet of 24- x 24- x Â¾-inch floor tiles with a flamed/brushed finish were utilized. The stair treads measure 60 x 13Â¾ x 1Â½ inches with a polished/eased edge on three sides with a plasma finish. Additionally, the stairs landing area measures 30 x 30 x 1Â½ inches with a plasma finish as well. A total of 400 linear feet of 8- x 24- x Â¾-inch pieces of Absolute Black granite were employed as wall base, and featured a beveled edge and plasma finish.

Outdoors, 24- x 24- x 1Â½-inch pavers with a plasma finish were used in the design. In total, approximately 2,500 square feet was employed.

The 23,000-square-foot building includes a regulation-sized gymnasium with locker rooms. The granite walls enhance the overall design of the space.

â€œThe Bronxdale Community Center is a prestigious addition to our growing portfolio of successful cut-to-size projects in North America,â€ said Babu Reddy, president of Hindustan Granites. â€œNow we have proven our ability to deliver the entire range of customized stonework. Each assignment is unique in its own needs and challenges - keeping us on our toes to continuously innovate and provide the most rewarding experience for our valuable clients.â€

According to Rafael Martinez, president of Marble1 LLC of New York, NY, the installer for the project, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) viewed several stone types before making a final decision on the Indian Absolute Black granite. â€œWe worked very closely with Hindustan,â€ said Martinez. â€œThey are one of our primary suppliers. I told them that we needed to present some samples for this project.â€

In total, it took approximately two to three months for the stone to arrive on the jobsite. â€œMost of the stone was custom ordered,â€ said Martinez. â€œIt did arrive on time, and the installation went quite well. When you custom order, sometimes that is not always the case.â€

At times, there were between 20 to 30 workers on the jobsite, according to the installer. â€œOverall, it was a good installation,â€ he said. â€œIt was very rapid. We had to make some adjustments for time. We would work on other parts of the building when waiting for the stone to arrive.â€ In all, the project took about a year to complete.

â€œApart from our primary activity as one of the leading distributors of natural stone slabs in the United Sates, Hindustan Granites has developed a very strong foothold in the cut-to-size work realm with numerous repeat clients,â€ said Arvind Devaraj, marketing director of Hindustan Granites. â€œThe Bronxdale Community Center is a strong testament to our quality cut-to-size work delivered from our modern facilities in India.â€

Jennifer Adams has been covering the stone industry since 1996 as Managing Editor of Stone World and Editor of our sister publication Contemporary Stone & Tile Design. Much of her work focuses on design, and it has also appeared in a range of consumer and shelter publications. Email: jennifer@stoneworld.com

This issue of Contemporary Stone & Tile Design features the Tile of Spain design awards. Also highlighted in this edition is the Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition — sponsored by Confindustria Ceramica (the Italian Association of Ceramics) and the Italian Trade Commission

Stone Industry Education

From fabrication...to installation...to marketing and much more! We provide natural stone professionals with stone knowledge and education they can count on, as well as great networking opportunities. Click here to go to Stone Industry Education.